Business Leader and Advocate Lamell McMorris Launches Youth Business Competition Encouraging Students to Launch Businesses

Washington, DC --To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Perennial, a Washington, DC based family of businesses, the CEO of the firm, lifelong advocate and young entrepreneur, Lamell McMorris, has launched the 2012 Perennial Youth Business Competition. The competition will award ten Washington, DC residents who are enrolled in high school or a high school equivalency program with $1,000 each to start or grow their own business.

In late May, 2012, twenty semi-finalists will be selected to compete with their own "elevator pitches" before a panel of local and national business leaders. In late June, ten winners will be announced, culminating in a banquet on June 23, 2012 where they will be recognized and awarded their prizes.

McMorris explained his motivations for launching this innovative program: "Ten years ago I moved to Washington DC with little more than an idea, a Rolodex, a lot of determination, and a high school intern as my only employee. Today, I'm fortunate to be the CEO of Perennial Strategy Group, a thriving government and public relations firm; Perennial Law Group, which focuses on the entertainment, sports and media industries, and Perennial Sports and Entertainment, a full service operation with agents representing some of the nation's top athletes." McMorris continued: "As an entrepreneur, I'm pleased to encourage young people to think big and act on their ideas, and with the 2012 Perennial Youth Business Competition, I hope to give ten DC youth a chance to do just that."

To be considered for the prize, contestants must complete an online application detailing their business proposal, financial projections, and marketing strategies.

About the Perennial Family of Businesses:

Perennial Strategy Group (www.perennialsg.com) is a strategic advisory firm that provides government, public, and community affairs services to Fortune 500 companies, national non-profits, trade associations, and public-sector clients on a wide range of public-policy issues. The firm specializes in the areas of corporate-government collaboration, banking and financial services, education, technology and communications, community and economic development, grassroots advocacy, and corporate global diversity. Perennial Sports and Entertainment (www.perennialsg.com) is a premier, full-service sports agency that represents NFL, NBA and MLB players and personalities. Its team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Collectively, its agents have signed multiple 1st round picks and negotiated several multi-million dollar contracts. Perennial Law Group (www.perenniallg.com) offers advice and counsel to all parties involved in the entertainment, media, and sports industries. With connections and resources across the country, Perennial Law Group offers assistance to athletes, entertainers, personalities, musicians, large and small companies, and non-profit organizations.

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